Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Close X Drag out of Shotgun Split Close sends both outside receivers vertical on go routes to clear out the deep coverage while the tight end runs a deep crosser (red route) from the closed side over the middle of the field. The X receiver working from the bunch/close alignment runs the namesake drag route underneath, sitting in the shallow zone as an outlet against pressure. This is a man beater built to isolate the drag against linebackers and stress zone defenders with the two vertical clearouts, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser against man coverage, then works down to the underneath drag if the crosser is taken away or the pocket collapses.
Defensive Reads
Watch the strong safety and free safety depth pre-snap since a two-high shell suggests the verticals will occupy them and open a driving lane for the crosser underneath. If the defense shows Cover 3 with a single deep safety, expect the crosser to sit in the soft spot behind the linebackers and in front of the deep third defender. Key the flow of the middle linebacker post-snap since a fast drop into a hook zone can jump the drag route and undercut the underneath throw. Man coverage teams that blitz off the edge are vulnerable since the drag beats the vacated area quickly before the rush arrives. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, since that defender can undercut both the drag and the crosser if he reads the quarterback's eyes early.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two-high or single-high safety look because the two verticals will hold safeties and open up the deep crosser against Cover 3 or Cover 1.
Use the drag route as your hot route answer versus blitz since it clears the line fast and gives the QB a quick throw against pressure off the edge.
Against man coverage, key on the crosser first since the natural pick action from traffic near the formation can spring it open versus man defenders trailing.
Pair this play with Mesh or Mesh Spot in your call sheet since both use crossing routes underneath, forcing linebackers to guess between drag depths and rob zone integrity.
Best called on second or third and medium when you need a chunk gain over the middle but still have the checkdown safety valve if the crosser is capped.
